Rizal@150 The Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 287, the Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will take the lead in the organization and implementation of the program of activities to commemorate the sesquicentennary or the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This milestone event shall give the Filipinos time and opportunity to rekindle the hero's patriotic deeds and sacrifices. The theme of the celebration is "Rizal: Haligi Ng Bayan" (Rizal: Pillar of the Nation). In support of this commemoration, the Department of Education (DepEd) as Vice-Chairman of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) in partnership with the NHCP and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) as members will conduct the activities for the Rizal National Festival of Excellence. The Festival expands opportunities for the young to develop and express their creative energies and enhance their capabilities to deal with the present day challenges and provide them opportunities to develop character building. The objective is to invigorate the spirit of the young so that they could rise above their disbeliefs and limitations and become "The Best in the Land" quoted by Rizal.

The Festival aims to:

1. celebrate and mark the contribution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in the field of Philippine Music;
2. popularize the Kundiman and enable teachers, students and the general public to appreciate the rich music heritage of the Filipinos and the role they played in the lives of the national hero and forefathers;
3. inculcate nationalism, patriotism, and preservation of their cultural heritage;
4. stir the spirit of competition and promote the culture of excellence and achievement among the youth; and
5. inspire the youth with the compelling contemporary relevance of Rizal's life, humanity, and love of country.
   

To highlight the participation of DepEd, this Department will hold competitions in three (3) categories, namely:

1. "Kundiman ni Rizal" Chorale Competition. A nationwide competition for high school choirs. It will be held in two (2) phases: Cluster and National Competitions. Please see Enclosure No. 1 for the "Kundiman Ni Rizal" Contest Mechanics.
2. Rizal/History Quiz Contest. This will be conducted for high school students nationwide to be held in two phases: Regional and National Competitions. Please see Enclosure No. 2 for the Rizal/History Quiz Contest Mechanics. It aims to develop a Filipino citizen that is informed of the nation's history, and who loves his country and is proud of his cultural heritage.
3. Rizal Oratorical Competition. This will be held for Grade VI pupils nationwide. The oratorical piece should revolve around the theme of the celebration. It will be held in two (2) phases: Regional and National Competitions. Please see Enclosure No. 3 for the Rizal Oratorical Competition Mechanics. The competition aims to remind the Filipinos, especially the youth of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in reforms, human rights, training for self-government, etc.
   

This Festival will also have the following associated activities:

1. A child-centered classroom discussion reflecting the qualities of Rizal or other national/local heroes who have played a vital role in the region as leaders who fought for freedom during the Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, and World War II;
2. Recitation of the poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kababata" during the Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by a pupil or student;
3. An audio-visually designated workshop entitled, "Rizal Is Alive Forum" to be conducted nationwide (by schedule) and to be attended by 100 high school students per region; and
4. A Project W.A.T.C.H. (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty) Training Workshop. This is an advocacy project with the JCI Senate Philippines, and the W.A.T.C.H. Executive Committee. The training workshop shall be attended by one hundred (100) W.A.T.C.H. Club Advisers per regional conduct. The teachers who will attend the Training Workshop scheduled on weekends (Saturday or Sunday) or holidays will be given one (1) day service credit depending on the number of weekends the workshop falls on.
   

The Regional Special Events Coordinators (RSECs) are requested to arrange the following requirements for Project W.A.T.C.H. Training Workshop and Rizal Is Alive! Forum:

1. air-conditioned venues for one hundred (100) students;
2. sound system (at least with two (2) microphones and speakers;
3. podium, white board, and LCD projectors; and
4. easel chart.
5. Grand National Finals wi11 be held on December 26-30, 2011 in Manila. Further announcement will be issued in this regard.
   

All elementary and secondary schools nationwide are enjoined to clean up the Rizal monuments/statue in their school premises following the guidelines from the NHCP. Please see Enclosure No. 4.

All elementary and secondary school teachers are encouraged to attend and participate in the following conferences:

Activity	Topic	Date/Venue	Proponent/Conference Fee
International Conference	"Rizal in the 21st Century: Global and Local Perspective"	June 22-24, 2011 GT Toyota Auditorium, Asian Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City	University of the Philippines Php3,500 for the 3-day conference (inclusive of am/pm snacks, lunch and solidarity dinner)
National Conference	"Finding Rizal: Understanding the Spirit of the Filipino Nation"	June 7, 2011 Thomas Aquinas Research Center, University of Santo Tomas (UST), España, Manila	Philippine Historical Association and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines
	"Rizal from the Perspective of Southeast Asia"	July 8, 2011 Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Loyola Heights Quezon City	The DepEd is requested to send 170 teachers in the conference (10 from each region)
	"Muling Pagsilang, Pagdakila, Pangunawa at Pagsasabuhay kay Rizal sa Buhay Pamayanan."	July 9, 2011 Martin de Porres Conference Hall, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba, Laguna	The seminar fee is Php1,500.00 inclusive of transportation on the 3rd day from NHCP to Calamba and v.v., conference kit and other miscellaneous expenses. NHCP will subsidize the honoraria for speakers, lunch and snacks during the conference, certificates and others.

Furthermore, Kaanak ni Rizal, specifically those of Saturnina Rizal and the Alfredo Rizal Hidalgo families will sponsor a Letter Writing Contest. It will be held in connection with the Buwan ng Wika in August this year. The following are the categories:

1. For High School - a letter entitled, "Pangako Kay Rizal, " and
2. For Elementary - a letter entitled, "Dear Rizal."
   

The guidelines and mechanics of the abovementioned contests will be issued in a form of advisory. The deadline for submission of entries is August 16, 2011 and the awarding ceremonies will be held on September 15, 2011.

The travel expenses (transportation and per diem) of the student-participants, coaches, trainers during the regional, cluster, and national competitions shall be charged to local funds such as (but not limited to) PTA, local school board funds, regional/division funds) or may be sourced from the municipality/city, provincial funds or from civic spirited associations, clubs, and organizations subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The Regional Committee may charge minimal registration fees during the regional competitions.

The travel expenses (transportation and per diem) of the Regional/Division Special Events Coordinators, Education Supervisors in Social Studies (Elementary and Secondary) shall be charged to local funds while the travel expenses (transportation and per diem) of the DepEd Central Office Committee members and RNFE Consultants (one 1 from every region/cluster) and other miscellaneous and operational expenses during the regional cluster, and national competitions shall be charged to OSEC funds subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

The Regional Special Events Coordinators and Education Supervisors in Social Studies (Elementary and Secondary) shall submit to the SEU a report on the implementation of the program in the region to:


Enclosed herewith is the List of Activities for the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.

For more information, please contact Ms. Luzviminda F. dela Rosa or the SEU staff located at 505 Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City 1600, at telefax no.: (02) 637-5832, telephone no.: (02) 637-5834 or send a message through e-mail address: ccse.deped@gmail.com. - https://www.affordablecebu.com/